Draghi in Strasbourg, first time as prime minister in front of the plenary

STRASBOURG - After the head of state Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Mario Draghi will also fly to Strasbourg today.

It will be the first time that he, as Prime Minister, will speak in front of the 705 MEPs of the Plenary during the debate entitled "This is Europe".

At 11.10 a bilateral meeting is scheduled with the president of the EU Parliament, Roberta Metsola, then, around 11.30, she will participate in the debate in the Chamber. Ukraine and a community response to the conflict and its consequences.

Effects that weigh heavily on the economies of individual states, both in terms of energy and expensive materials.

The premier could also touch on the issue of sanctions,

of the gas price ceiling proposal, and talk about the central role of the EU in this critical phase: a new protagonism in a phase that is critical to say the least for the entire planet.

Several times in the past, Draghi has reiterated the need for the EU to proceed together, as happened during the pandemic.

Italy hopes for a sort of war recovery that can help individual states to face the weight of the conflict.

Rome is heavily dependent on Russian gas but on the sanctions front she immediately abandoned the prudential line to say she was ready, in line with the rest of Europe, to push sanctions.

But we need a common answer, it is the refrain.

At the end of April, guest of honor at the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, right from Strasbourg,

the President of the Republic Mattarella strongly indicated the way to peace: the hour of dialogue and not of tests of strength, of the spirit of Helsinki, not of that of Yalta.

Now there is a lot of anticipation for Draghi's speech.

That, after speaking, he will listen to the interventions of the group leaders and then make a reply.

Before leaving for Rome, perhaps around lunchtime, the premier should meet the Italian MEPs.

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